Marco Lubiana
Derwent Valley, Tasmania
Marco is the son of Monique and Stefano Lubiana. You may recognise the name from the family estate, located on the Derwent Valley, 30 minutes west of Hobart. Marco is a second generation viticulturalist and wine maker, farming two sites planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay biodynamically. When not in the vineyard on winery, you may find Marco behind the bar at ‘Molto’ in Hobart. This is Marco’s wine bar where you’re guaranteed to drink well, be local Tasmanian produce or a glass of Burgundy, if you prefer. Molto is a must-visit watering hole if visiting Hobart.
The apple clearly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Marco launched his eponymous label back in 2018 and immediately made waves. They haven’t subsided either. With access to some of the Lubiana Estate vineyards in the Derwent Valley as well as a new addition of fruit sourced from the Panorama Vineyard in the southern Huon Valley, he is working solely with premium ingredients. Farming is according to biodynamic principles in both vineyards, and winemaking follows a similarly holistic approach.
Cellar work is gentle, with pumping at a minimal and use of gravity the preference. Cool temperatures then allow for slower, longer fermentation and flavour development as well as a stable environment for maturation. Marco uses SO2 sparingly.
Marco Lubiana ‘Huon & Derwent’ Chardonnay 2022
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Region Huon and Derwent Valleys, Tasmania
Soil Cobble stones over white clay (Huon) and red clay over gravely chalk (Derwent)
Grape Chardonnay
Farming Biodynamic
ABV 13%
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2022 Chardonnay is a mix of 40% Huon Valley and 60% Derwent Valley. Hand picked and hand sorted the grapes were whole bunch pressed to 228L French oak barrels with 15% new oak, the ferment was wild and slow, malolactic fermentation was carried out in Spring and the wine remained on full lees for 11 months. The wine was carefully racked out of barrel in February 2023 and bottled in June 2023 without filtration.
Great nose and immediately quite expressive. The fruit appears ripe but lively, showing both stone fruit (golden peach) and some lighter citric elements (lime leaf and citrus oil). The generosity of fruit and flavour is evident, with plenty of mouth-filling expanse and some richness, aided by edges of nut and brittle. So much to like here - a real success. - Chesterton Cook, LC Selections.
Marco Lubiana ‘Huon & Derwent’ Pinot Noir 2022
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Region Huon and Derwent Valleys, Tasmania
Soil Cobble Stone over white clay (Huon) and red clay over gravely chalk (Derwent)
Grape Pinot Noir
Farming Biodynamic
ABV 13%
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Biodynamic. The wine is made from a mixture of whole bunch (Derwent) and whole berry (Huon), there is a gentle fermentation and long elevage in 228L barrels with 15% new French oak.
Serious Pinot here: the nose is very deep and alluring, showing dark cherry, blood plum and some savoury tones such as twig and walnut. Medium to full bodied on the palate, again showing dark fruit, but with a spark on energy there, too. It has a very appealing spice profile and the flavours of black cherry and cherry pip scream 'Tassie'. The acid is supportive and bright, while hints of oak case an otherwise very pure, vibrant and youthful Pinot. - Chesterton Cook, LC Selections.
